No bird or beast can be killed at a sacred tree in the grove which generally surrounds it.
Should a sacred tree, of the old communal mathembo kind, fall down, the people will still worship on the site.
KIKUYU MUTHURI OR ELDER.
(Prognathous type)
If a village which possesses one of the small [[65]]mathembo is moved, the assistance of a medicine woman is sought for the selection of another one near the new site for the village. The elders take her to the old tree and leave her there all night in solitary vigil; in the morning she is fetched and taken to the new tree.
When the elders return from sacrificing at a sacred tree, each takes a small piece of the skin of the sacrificial animal and ties it on the thorn fence near his hut. It is believed, however, that this would not be allowed in the case of a great communal gathering to pray for rain, such as previously described.
The sacrificial animal is provided by the elders of ithembo in rotation.
It is said that before going to war a black goat was sacrificed at the ithembo, and success was prayed for.